Had the best Cheer weekend – We got Gold and Hit Zero!
He said
This week was completely Cheer focused with the next went on our calendar for Sov was the two-day combo of Battle at the Border couple with Border Showdown in Niagara Falls. The season is flying by at crazy pace and it feels entirely too fast. Two weeks ago we were already at the Ontario Championships and this event this weekend is the big one for locking down a Finals Bid for the Canadian Finals. Emelia’s only hope for this weekend is to get that bid as it would be a first for them.And, the coaches feel they are in strong contention—it would basically come down to how they perform this weekend.
This weekend is basically two completions in one. Saturday, the Battle at the Border was competition number one, in the usual format against her level and skill routine. Sunday is a bit of a unique one in that they are up against everyone at Level 3. But that one is where the Canadian Finals bids are awarded. Leading up to the weekend and even leaving for Niagara Falls you could tell Emelia was nervous with so much at stake. They had been working very hard and looking forward to this. Even the coaches had them set on what it would take.
Like usual we planned to leave early to give us time to get down to the Falls and get sorted out. This was the first comp where their compete times were earlier in the afternoon so it meant way more buffer time. However this time there was no flexibility in turning back if we forgot anything, so we quadruple checked and left the house, happily not missing anything. The only wrinkle with the earlier times was Emelia had to pretty much be somewhat uniform ready when we left the house whereas all other comps we could get our hotel room first, she could suit up there.
So… let’s talk about how they did! Saturday’s performance was one of their best of the season. While they had some minor issues and didn’t hit zero, it was probably one of their best this season. And when it came down to how it was judged, they agreed and Sov won first place overall! They beat the team they have been up against all season so it was bittersweet. But the big day was still on the girls’ minds. Today was for all the marbles and while the girls seemed a bit nervous their performance was anything but! They saved their absolute best performance of the season for when it mattered the most! And the best part was minutes after leaving the floor they found out they hit zero! While in the end they didn’t get the Finals Bid they wanted, they did finish as the best U18 team and did land in the Top 10 out of 24 teams!
With this comp down there isn’t much time to relax as next weekend, we’re off to OCF Ontario Cheer Championships in Mississauga. This will be good for the girls to be right back at it and it is another comp for Valour so it will be double performances each day for Emelia.
She said
This weekend is the one competition that Emelia and her team focused on more than any other all season. This weekend was a two part two day competition. Saturday was the Battle at the Border, this was basically a regular one day competition. For Emelia’s team they did not have a huge group against them but they were against one team that they have been so close in points all season, the girls wanted more than anything to hit and to win this competition. They did not have a perfect run but it was solid and in the end they took first place! They were so excited and this put them all in a great headspace going into the big second day.
Emelia and her teammates were on cloud nine after day one, added bonus for Emelia is that she was able to stay at the same hotel as her cheer bestie and her whole friend group. The girls were thick as thieves all weekend and Emelia was beyond happy all weekend. After all the energy and high on day one for both Sov and Legacy the girls were all ready to spend the night together and off to the outlets. The girls went on their way bouncing from store to store and having a blast together. After staying there until they closed we all headed back to the hotel, ate some food and then crashed all pretty hard. The whole room was out cold by 10:30. Think the energy of the day all came crashing down and we all got some much needed sleep.
Today was a relaxed pace morning, we got a later checkout and took our time getting things moving. We finally got the heard of teenagers organized and finally headed out to our favourite breakfast place in Niagara Falls. We had a huge breakfast and finally made our way back to the venue and the girls could get ready and wait to compete. The first out our group to compete was Sov. The girls were all going in with some nervous energy. Today was the big day, the showdown competition is a different comp for the team, it is a massive group putting all levelled teams against each other no matter their age. So for the Sov was against 24 other teams. The coaches pumped up the girls saying if you hit and put it all out there you can get a bid. The girls hit the floor and hands down put their best routine out there. They not only hit zero but they put out the highest energy routine they had put on all season. To see the girls at the end of their run knowing they put it all out there was so incredible. I could see Emelia tearing up with happiness at the end and as soon as she could she ran over to her cheer bestie Avery and hugged her! The coaches, the owners and the girls were over the moon proud of them.
Now to the hard part, the waiting. For this competition they were handing out the much sought after bids to Canadian Finals. This is the goal that Emelia has had every year in cheer, and in now 5 season she has never been on a team that has had a bid. She wanted this BAD! And with all the pump up from the coaches before she really believed that if they hit and were clean they would get that bid. As the leaderboard updates came the girls were crushed to find out they did not make the final cut to make the last stage to have a chance at a bid. The girls and parents were in shock, no matter the outcome we were so proud of this team, they were the top level U18 team both days, they had the best run of their season and they finished in the top 10 of 25 teams. So now without that bid the girls are more determined than ever to train harder than ever to dominate at Nationals. Emelia is ready to get back at it and get ready for their next competition next weekend. All in all it was a weekend to remember!